There’s been a certain pattern around the Cowboys in recent years.
Whether the topic has been windows of opportunity to win a Super Bowl or the identity of the team’s offensive play caller, owner Jerry Jones tends to make a proclamation that’s quickly followed by coach Jason Garrett playing things down. Since Jones has been talking up an an expanded role for quarterback Tony Romo when it comes to offensive game planning, it was only a matter of time before we heard Garrett’s take on things.
“It’s really been similar to every quarterback situation that I’ve been involved in with every team that I’ve been involved in,” Garrett said, via the Cowboys website. “In every place in this organization and in others, you’re trying to get that kind of rapport between your starting quarterback and the coaching staff, and we’ve had it, and we’ll continue to have that. ... He’s been our starting quarterback for six years now, so his voice matters to us. But, it’s mattered for a long time.”
Romo turned 33 in April and took over as the Cowboys quarterback in 2006, so this will actually be his eighth year as a starter for the team. At some point, people should stop the annual talk about all the things Romo needs to do more of and realize that he’s probably developed into the quarterback he is going to become.
For better or worse, the Cowboys’ fate will likely be determined by how much they’ve improved the team around him.